Wednesday, May 30, 2012

His Aviation Dreams Take Flight

So great was his love for airplanes that 19-year-old Tariq Bin Idil Adzha enrolled himself in NYP’s Diploma in Aeronautical & Aerospace Technology so that he could do something related to aerospace when he graduated. It was a coincidence when he found out about the Singapore Youth Flying Club’s (SYFC) programme in Year 1, which offered him the chance of piloting his own aircraft.

“I had always wanted to be a pilot since I was young,” he said. “When I heard about SYFC’s flying program, I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to sign up for it. I applied for the programme straightaway. I had to go through an interview and pass a stringent medical check up before I was accepted.”

Tariq’s dreams soon came true. He started flying at the end of Year 1, and received his Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) recently in an award ceremony with 37 other students. Tariq, who is now in Year 3, is grateful that he managed to pull through the tough training and pass the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) theory exams required to obtain his licence. He said that NYP’s aeronautical science and propulsion modules also gave him an added advantage in the CAAS exams, providing him with some background knowledge.

Although Tariq’s PPL training is tough, his priority has always been his NYP Studies. Besides managing his school work well, this resilient young man also managed to practice his flying at least once a week, and prepare for his 6 CAAS theory exams. In total, he spent more than 60 hours flying and many more studying for his exams.

“I spent most of my Saturdays at the club studying for my theory exams,” he said. “Overall, the journey was a tough but rewarding one. It wouldn’t have been possible without the constant support of my friends and family.”﻿

﻿Tariq is in the first batch of students licensed to fly the club’s new aircraft, Diamond Star DA40 CS. He is now eagerly waiting for his chance to go on an overseas trip to experience the life of an Air Force Pilot Trainee in Australia.

Tariq also urges students to sign up for SYFC’s free programme if they have a keen interest in flying.

“My sentiments would be best expressed by Leonardo da Vinci when he said‘For once you’ve tasted flight, you will walk this Earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.’” he said.